2009 Lytton Springs

Ripe black cherry/raspberry nose, with notes of pepper, licorice, chaparral, and tobacco. Rich black fruit on the palate. Full, viscous. Well-coated tannins and a long, layered finish.

Despite welcome late-spring rains, the growing season got off to an early start in 2009. Significant heat throughout July ripened the grapes for harvest in early September. The vineyard’s thirty-four parcels were picked separately, fermented on their natural yeasts, and were pressed at dryness. In blind tastings following natural malolactic, we chose twenty-three of the lots to exemplify the vintage. The proportion of new oak was reduced slightly, to allow full expression of the wine’s fruit and inherent elegance. Enjoyable upon release, this opulent though structured Lytton Springs will evolve over the next ten to fifteen years. JO (11/10)

In 1972, Ridge made its first Lytton Springs from vines planted on the eastern half of the vineyard at the turn of the century, and purchased both the eastern and western portions of the vineyard in the early 1990s, (In the 1870s, under “Captain” William Litton’s ownership, the two were part of one property; spelling evolved into “Lytton” by 1903.) The vineyard is planted to zinfandel and its principal complementary varietals.

Rainfall: Thirty-four inches (below average)

Bloom: Late May

Weather: Dry winter saved by spring rains and a warm, dry summer.

Harvest Dates: 11 September – 4 October

Grapes: Average Brix 25.4

Fermentation: Natural primary and secondary. Pressed at eight days.

Barrels: 100% air-dried american oak barrels (18% new; 57% one, two and three years; 25% four years old)

Aging: Fourteen months in barrel

All estate-grown grapes, hand harvested. Destemmed and crushed. Fermented on the native yeasts, followed by full malolactic on the naturally-occurring bacteria. 1.5 grams/liter tartaric acid and a total of two and a half percent rehydration (added to seven particularly ripe parcels) during fermentation; minimum effective sulfur (35 parts per million at crush, 177 ppm over the course of aging); fresh egg white fining to moderate tannins. Pad filtered at bottling. In keeping with our philosophy of minimal intervention, this is the sum of our actions.

The Wine Advocate 95 Points – “Longtime winemaker John Olney recalls 2009 as “very Goldilocks—not too hot, not too cool. A moderate, easygoing harvest. Acidities were excellent.” He emphasized, “The biggest challenge was getting the winemakers out of the way. Often the hardest thing to do in winemaking is to do nothing.” The 2009 Lytton Springs is made up of 71% Zinfandel, 23% Petite Sirah and 6% Carignane. It has a medium garnet color and is beginning to brown at the rim. It demands air to really open but is worth the wait—it reveals arresting aromas of baked blueberries, desiccated lilac, old leather, tobacco and underbrush. The full-bodied palate is more youthful, with tempered ripeness and floral tones. It has suede-textured tannins and juicy acidity that calls you back to the glass for another fragrant sip. It’s in its prime drinking window.” -Erin Brooks (September 2024)

The Wine Advocate (Issue 196, August 2011) 95 Points – “The 2009 Lytton Springs is the biggest and most structured of these 2009 Zinfandel-based reds, largely owing to the earthier soils and the presence 23% Petite Sirah. Black fruit, plums, tar, licorice and smoke are some of the notes that flow from this generous, inviting red. The Lytton Springs is fairly structured, and can definitely benefit from another year or two (perhaps more) in bottle. The blend is 74% Zinfandel, 21% Petite Sirah and 5% Carignane. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2029.

Vinous Media (August 2017): 95 Points. “The 2009 Lytton Springs is pure silk on the palate. Sensual, layered and supple, the 2009 is a wine of total finesse. Nothing in particular stands out. Instead it is the wine’s harmony that rules the day. I suggest giving the 2009 a good bit of air, as it has a lot to offer for those who can be patient. This is a library re-release from Ridge. Drink 2017-2029” – Antonio Galloni

JebDunnuck.com (December 2011): 93+ Points. “Every bit as good, if not a touch more fresh and focused than the ’08 Lytton Springs, the 2009 Ridge Lytton Springs (71% Zinfandel, 23% Petite Sirah, and 6% Carignan) delivers a gorgeously complex array of spiced wild berries, bramble, potpourri, and hot asphalt aromas on the nose. This is followed up by a medium-bodied, structured, and perfectly balanced red that has notable freshness, fantastic purity, and a classically styled finish. Overall balanced and impeccably put together, this thrilling wine should be purchased by the caseload, and consumed over the coming 2 decades.” – Jeb Dunnuck

Wine & Spirits (February 2012): 92 Points. “John Olney considers 2009 to be th best vintage from this historic vineyard since 2005. This release includes 23 percent petite sirah and six percent carignane, so it’s not labeled as zinfandel. The blend balances tannic complexity from old-vine fruit with the richer, brighter notes of young-vine zin. The younger fruit fills out the texture without diminishing the tension and edginess of the wine. It’s black, smoky and subtle, a red to decant now with grilled sirloin or to cellar for ten years.”

San Francisco Chronicle (4 December 2011) – Top 100 Wines of 2011 – “Under the hand of winemaker John Olney, the latest Lytton Springs is a gorgeous high-wire act, the best in years. Heady and full of dried flowers, dusty plum and India ink, it brings a stunning freshness to its berry fruit, with a firm tannic backbone thanks to 23 percent Petite Sirah.” -Jon Bonne

Average Rating: 91.5

No. of Tasting Notes: 639

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